Police: 93-year-old British woman dies of ‘broken heart’ after confronting thieves in her home

NORTHAMPTON, England (WESH) – Authorities say a 93-year-old British woman died Wednesday from broken heart syndrome after three men broke into her home and stole her valuables.

Three men broke into Betty Munroe’s Northampton, England, home around 11 p.m. June 11 using garden shears, according to a Facebook post from Northamptonshire Police.

The men confronted her, initially claiming to be officers, and then stole her jewelry, including her late husband’s watch, her purse, bank cards, even a gold chain that was around her neck.

They then ransacked Munroe’s home before they left, police said.

“Betty’s health deteriorated very quickly after the incident and she was diagnosed with PTSD following repeated nightmares, trouble sleeping, being sick and being unable to stop shaking,” police said in the Facebook post.

She was hospitalized with heart problems and eventually diagnosed with takotsubo syndrome, also known as broken heart syndrome, police said.

Munroe had been in good health before the three men broke into her home and had lived independently for 56 years.